Whether you’re just starting to learn the game of darts yourself or introducing the kids, opting for one of the best electronic dartboards instead of the traditional bristle dartboard can be a great way to ensure walls and furniture don’t get damaged when an errant dart misses its mark.
That’s not all. Although they tend to be a little pricier, electronic dartboards also tend to last longer than bristle boards, providing, that is, that you choose one of sufficient quality.
Not that this is always easy to do. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, then determining exactly what makes a board worthy of your hard-earned money can seem like an impossible challenge.
That’s where we come in. We recently tried out 20 leading electronic dartboards to determine our top 5 picks. Ultimately, it was the Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 that proved to be our favorite thanks to the excellent variety of its programmable games and its overall construction quality.
If that’s not the one for you, don’t worry, we’ve also picked out four other quality boards suitable for players of all ages, abilities, and budgets.
Related: Darts Glossary
Top 5 Best Electronic Dartboards 2024
AT A GLANCE
- Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 Editor's Choice
- WIN.MAX Electronic Dart Board
- Viper by GLD Products Neptune
- Fat Cat Mercury Electronic Dartboard
- Franklin Sports Electronic Dartboard Best Budget Option
There’s a huge variety of electronic dartboards out there; there are a few key features that any board should have to even be considered in a conversation about the best ones.
Those that featured tons of games, superior construction quality, and design and the quality of any included extras such as darts were all considered by our team to be the most important things to look for.
The table below outlines which five boards scored the highest in all of those essential categories. After the table, you can read more about each of our picks in our reviews.
You’ll also find a useful buyer’s guide to help you finally determine the best electronic dartboard to spend your money on.
1. Editor’s Choice – Arachnid Cricket Pro 800
Specifications:
Target area diameter: 15.5″
Material: NylonTough plastic
Number of games: 39
Arachnid is one of the biggest names in the electronic dartboard market and offers a vast range of different electronic boards, almost all of which would be worthy of a spot on this list.
Ultimately though, it’s their best-selling Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 that came out on top because it offers the best overall package of quality, playability, and value for money.
The tournament regulation-sized 15.5″ target area is the same as on a traditional board, ensuring that it’s just as suitable for league-level players for darts novices. Meanwhile, the NylonTough plastic provides a substantial level of durability.
However, the highlight for us is the sheer number of playable options.
A total of 39 popular games are included, and Arachnid takes this even further by offering a whopping 179 different variations on those games, including 7 different types of Cricket Darts.
All in all, this ensures that no matter what your ability and no matter how you like to play, the Arachnid Cricket 800 has something for you.
What We Like:
- Micro-Thin spider ensures minimum bounce-outs
- Up to 8 players can play at once
- Super-sized LED display ensures everyone can keep track of the score.
What We Don’t Like:
- Dart flights tend to fall off too easily and need replacing
- Some customers complain that the audio call-outs for each dart can be distracting and off-putting.
-> Read More Customer Reviews Over On Amazon
2. Best Professional Dartboard – WINMAX Electronic Dart Board
Specifications:
Target area diameter: 13.8″
Material: Durable Thermoplastic
Number of games: 21
Suppose you’re a seasoned darts player looking for an electronic dartboard you can practice with the WIN at home. In that case, the MAX Electronic Dart Board is definitely a board worthy of your consideration.
The thermoplastic construction delivers remarkable durability, making it well suited for absorbing powerful throws without damaging the board.
We also love the quality of the darts. It’s often the case that the sets of darts included in most dartboard sets pale in comparison to actual professional-grade darts, but the precision-cut aluminum shafts and Polypro flights with flight protectors mean you won’t be able to tell much of a difference between the included darts and the ones you regularly play your league games with.
What We Like:
- Includes 21 games with 65 scoring variations and multiple levels of difficulty
- A wide catch ring prevents errant throws from damaging your walls
- Automatic scoring with voice announcer and heckler.
What We Don’t Like:
- The small display makes it difficult to read scores
- The target area is smaller than on other boards, which may make it unsuitable for beginners.
-> See More Customer Reviews Over At Amazon
3. Best Complete Dartboard Set – Viper by GLD Products Neptune Electronic Dartboard Cabinet
Specifications:
Target area diameter: 15.5″
Material: Polymer compounds
Number of games: 57
Though the cost of the Viper by GLD Products Neptune Electronic Dartboard Cabinet may be off-putting to some, it does offer tremendous value for money when you consider just how much it packs into one complete set.
For starters, there are 57 unique games, including classics like 301, 501, and Cricket. These games come with more than 300 different scoring options, meaning that whether you want a competitive game to prepare for your next competition or simply a few leisurely games with friends, you’ll enjoy more versatility than with any other board on this list.
Then there’s the fact that it’s one of only two options on our top five to include a backboard and cabinet with built-in dart storage, helping to protect your board and keep the whole setup clean, tidy, and organized when not in use.
What We Like:
- It offers a 16-player multiplayer option
- A larger display on the automatic scoreboard makes it easier to select different options.
- Comes with bonus features, including a throw line and throw line measuring tape.
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive price tag
- Some customers complained that the included power supply isn’t great and soon needs replacing.
-> Read More Customer Feedback Over On Amazon
4. Best Dartboard for Beginners – Fat Cat Mercury Electronic Dartboard
Specifications:
Target area: 13.5″
Material: Durable thermoplastic
Number of games: 28
Boards like the aforementioned Win.Max option may be all well and good if you’re already a dab hand at darts, but if you’re just starting, the Fat Cat Mercury Electronic Dartboard earns our recommendation as one of the best boards for beginners.
There are two main reasons for this:
One is the combination of a super-thin spider and a larger-than-average catch ring.
This helps reduce bounce-outs and catch more darts that miss their target, both of which are common problems when you’re first learning the game.
The second is that although it only contains 28 games, all of them are very beginner-friendly and easy to program, meaning you’ll be able to spend less time figuring out how things work and more time enjoying the playing experience.
What We Like:
- Games come with 150 scoring options
- Includes cabinet with built-in darts storage
- Easy to install, set up, and operate.
What We Don’t Like:
- Requires a power outlet, doesn’t take batteries
- Dart quality isn’t as good as with other boards.
-> See What Other Customers Think Over At Amazon
5. Best Budget Dartboard – Franklin Sports Electronic Dartboard
Specifications:
Target area: 13.5″
Material: Polyethylene Plastic
Number of games: 65
The Fat Cat option above may be a great choice if you’re new to darts but know for certain it’s something you’re going to be playing a lot.
Yet if you’re merely curious about darts and aren’t sure if it’s for you, then the last thing you want to do is to spend over the odds on an expensive board.
That’s one of the reasons why we love the Franklin Sports Electronic Dartboard.
Our pick of the best budget-friendly electronic dartboard, Franklin Sports, sells this one at a very attractive price, which means you don’t have to spend a lot to see if darts are for you.
Unlike with other cheap dartboards, however, allow cost doesn’t mean low quality.
The polyethylene plastic ensures a decent level of durability. Sure, it may not be quite so good at withstanding the kind of abuse top-flight players might inflict upon it, but if you’re playing at that level anyway, then you’re probably not looking for a cheap dartboard anyway.
The 65 game variations include all of the classics, including games like Around the Clock and Killer, and although the display is a little primitive compared to other boards, it’s still relatively easy to get set up and ready for play in no time.
What We Like:
- Budget-friendly price
- Easy to mount
- It comes with a voice heckler and sound effects to enhance the fun.
What We Don’t Like:
- Not suitable for more serious players
- The automatic scoreboard display is a little too small.
-> Find More Customer Reviews Over At Amazon
How to Choose the Best Electronic Dartboard: A Buyer’s Guide
Having tried, tested, and reviewed each of our top five picks, we eventually concluded that any one of those boards could be considered a worthy contender for the title of 2024’s best electronic dartboard.
Of course, that’s all well and good, but it doesn’t really help you determine which is the best one to bring home, does it?
With that in mind, we’ve put together the following dartboard buying guide outlines exactly how we chose our top five picks and how our selection criteria may help you determine the type of board that’s right for you.
Related: 5 Best Dart Flights (Buyers Guide)
Brand Reputation
Whether you’re buying an electronic dartboard, a brand new pool table, or any other addition to your games room, the brand reputation of the manufacturer is likely to play an important role.
When it comes to darts -and electronic dartboards in particular- names like Arachnid, Win.Max, and Viper each have a reputation as a well-respected board manufacturer known for their wide variety of quality boards. This means that you should be able to trust them to create and deliver a good product.
The best thing about buying from a reputable brand is that they’re also much more likely to have better customer service and a better warranty than you’d get with a smaller, unknown brand.
Programmable Games and Scoring Options
If all you’re interested in is playing a few quick games of 301, then the number of programmable games that come with your electronic dartboard isn’t going to make much of a difference.
Almost all electronic dartboards come with that game -as well as a handful of others- already programmed in so that all you have to do is select it from a list and start playing. From there, the board usually does all the hard work for you in terms of keeping score and even letting you know when a player has won.
However, if you like variety, then it perhaps goes without saying that the more games you have access to, the better.
You may also want to look out for the number of scoring options and the number of players.
For example, if you wanted to occasionally play a quick solo game of Baseball darts to sharpen your skills before getting the gang round for multiplayer games, then you’ll naturally want a board that’s versatile enough to accommodate all of that.
Beginner vs. Advanced Player Features
Perhaps more than anything else, your current ability may have a determining factor on which board you buy.
More experienced dart players who regularly compete in leagues and tournaments may want a regulation-sized board to practice for your next big competition.
If this sounds like you, then you may also have a much more powerful throw than someone who’s just getting started, meaning you’ll want a board that’s durable enough to withstand your playing style.
If you’re new to the game, then you’ll want to be on the lookout for boards with a micro-thin spider.
The spider is the framework that separates each point-scoring segment of the board. The thinner it is, the less chance there is that your darts will hit it, bounce out, and land on the floor.
You should also be on the lookout for boards with a large catch ring so that if you miss the target area, your darts will still hit a part of the board rather than the wall.
Darts Quality and Accessories
Last but not least, consider the kind of accessories you get with your board.
Almost all electronic dart boards come with a starter set of darts, though both the quality and quantity do vary significantly from board to board.
Along with the darts themselves, you should also consider whether or not the board comes in its own cabinet, which protects the board when not in use, whether you have to buy the cabinet separately, or whether you’re happy to forget about it altogether.
Additional features such as scoreboards with LED lights that make them more attractive and a variety of board colors may also influence your decision from an aesthetic standpoint but are unlikely to make a huge difference to the quality of your game.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electronic Dartboards
What’s the best electronic dartboard on the market?
While all of the boards on our list are excellent choices, the Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 proved to be the best thanks to its superior construction quality, an extensive list of games and scoring options, and all-around value for money.
Are all electronic dartboards soft tip?
Though not all soft tip dartboards are electronic, all electronic dartboards are soft tip boards. This means that the board is covered in minute holes that your darts slide into when they hit the board.
It also means you shouldn’t use regular steel tip darts with your electronic dartboard as they’re likely to damage it.
Related: Best Soft Tip Dart Boards
See Also: 5 best Soft Tip Dart Boards (Buyers Guide)
Why won’t darts stick in my electronic dartboard?
Darts not sticking to the board is a common complaint among electronic dartboard owners.
Sometimes, this occurs when the quality of your darts isn’t very good, though most often, it occurs because your darts hit the line that divides the segments of your board and bounces out.
Ultimately, the more you practice, the less this should occur.
What is the Best Electronic Dartboard to Buy: Our Final Verdict
So, you’ve already seen that we rank the Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 as the best electronic dartboard around. We love that it contains 179 variations of 39 classic darts games, meaning no matter what your skill level nor game preference, you’re going to find something to enjoy.
Still, if you’ve decided that the Arachnid isn’t for you, there are some other good quality options.
The Fat Cat Mercury Electronic Dartboard, for example, is a great, beginner-friendly board with a thin spider, large catch ring, and easily programmable features, which makes it an ideal choice if you’re just starting out.
Meanwhile, if you’re a little more advanced and looking for the best professional-grade electronic dartboard to practice for that big-league competition on, then the WIN.MAX Electronic Dart Board will prove tough to beat.
